Performance analysis of P-CSMA for underwater acoustic sensor networks

In this paper, we investigate the performance of carrier sensing multiple access (CSMA)-based medium access control (MAC) protocol in fully connected underwater acoustic sensor networks (UWASNs). CSMA-based MAC protocols run inefficiently because of a new hidden terminal problem (we refer to it as “long-delay hidden terminal problem”). Based on our findings, this paper presents novel performance analysis model of physical CSMA (P-CSMA) for UWASNs. Compared with other analytical methods, the analysis model in this paper is closer to the actual network, in which the number of nodes is finite and propagation delays among certain nodes are variable. The close form expressions for throughput and packet loss ratio indicate that CSMA-based MAC protocols are influenced greatly by long-delay hidden terminal problem. Simulation results show the correctness of the analysis model.